TWI803516B - System for single-stage and dual-stage dilution of a sample - Google Patents

Abstract

Sample preparation systems and methods are described having pump control, valve configurations, and control logic that facilitate automatic, inline preparation dilutions of a sample according to at least two dilution operating modes. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to a first pump configured to drive a carrier fluid; a second pump configured to drive a diluent; and a plurality of selection valves fluidically coupled with the first pump and the second pump, the plurality of selection valves being configured to direct fluid flows from the first pump and the second pump according to at least two modes of operation to provide a single-stage sample dilution according to a first operating mode and to provide a dual-stage sample dilution according to a second operating mode.

Description

Systems for single and double dilution of samples

This application relates to sample preparation systems and methods, and more particularly to sample preparation systems and methods for diluting fluid samples.

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry is one of the analytical techniques commonly used to determine the concentration and isotope ratio of trace elements in liquid samples. ICP spectroscopy employs an electromagnetically generated partially ionized argon plasma, which reaches a temperature of about 7,000K. When a sample is introduced into the plasma, the high temperature causes the sample atoms to become ionized or emit light. Since each chemical element produces a characteristic mass or emission spectrum, measuring the emitted mass or spectrum of light allows determination of the elemental composition of the original sample.

A sample introduction system may be employed to introduce the liquid sample into the ICP spectrometry instrument (e.g., an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP/ICP-MS), an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES), or the like) in for analysis. For example, a sample introduction system may draw an aliquot of a liquid sample from a container and thereafter deliver the aliquot to a nebulizer, which converts the aliquot into an aliquot suitable for use by an ICP spectrometry instrument in an electronic One of the ionized polydisperse aerosols in the plasma. Before or during delivery of the aliquot to the nebulizer, the sample aliquot can be mixed with a hydride generating reagent and fed into a hydride gas/liquid separator which A liquid separator directs the hydride and/or sample gas into the nebulizer. The aerosol produced by the nebulizer is then classified in a spray chamber to remove larger aerosol particles. After leaving the spray chamber, the aerosol is introduced into the plasma by a plasma torch assembly of the ICP-MS or ICP-AES instrument for analysis.

The present invention describes sample preparation systems and methods for diluting fluid samples wherein the samples are diluted in-line in a single or multiple dilution procedure to achieve extreme precision for high dilution factors (e.g., dilution factors of 10,000-fold or greater) ). A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to: a first pump configured to drive a carrier fluid; a second pump configured to drive a diluent; and selector valves coupled to the first The pump and the second pump are fluidly coupled, the plurality of selector valves configured to direct fluid flow from the first pump and the second pump according to at least two modes of operation to provide a single stage according to a first mode of operation The sample is diluted and a two-stage sample dilution is provided according to a second mode of operation.

This [Summary] is provided to introduce in a simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described below in the [Implementations]. This [Summary] is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

1 to 11: port

100: system

102:Syringe pump

104: The first syringe pump

106: Second syringe pump

108: The third syringe pump

110: first selection valve

112: Second selection valve

114: the third selection valve

116: The fourth selection valve

118: Sprayer

120: Fluid pipeline

122: The first holding pipeline

124: the second holding pipeline

126: Fluid pipeline

128: Fluid pipeline

130: Fluid pipeline

132: The third holding pipeline

134: Fluid pipeline

135: Fluid pipeline

136: Fluid pipeline

138: Sample detector

139: Fluid channel

140: vacuum source

141: channel

142: Fluid pipeline

143: channel

144: Fluid pipeline

145: channel

146: Fluid pipeline

148: Fluid pipeline

150: Fluid pipeline

152: pump

154: Fluid pipeline

400: Computing System

402: Processor

404: Non-transitory Carrier Media

406: Computer-readable program instructions

408: Network connection

[Embodiment] is described with reference to the drawings. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and drawings may indicate similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sample preparation system operating in a first sample dilution mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is in a second sample dilution mode according to an embodiment of the present invention A schematic diagram of a sample preparation system operated in the first stage.

3 is a schematic diagram of a sample preparation system operating in a second stage of a second sample dilution mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic diagram of a control protocol for a sample preparation system, such as the sample preparation system(s) described with reference to FIGS. 1-3 .

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims the rights of 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/555,323, filed September 7, 2017 and titled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INLINE, DUAL-STAGE SAMPLE DILUTION." The entire contents of US Provisional Application No. 62/555,323 are incorporated herein by reference.

overview

Determining the concentration or amount of trace elements in a sample can provide an indication of the purity of the sample or the acceptability of the sample for use as a reagent, reactive component or the like. For example, in certain production or manufacturing processes (eg, mining, metallurgy, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical processing, etc.), tolerances for impurities can be very tight, eg, on the order of parts per billion. In order to accurately measure the trace element composition of high-concentration samples (such as metal ores, metallurgical components, etc.), the sample to be measured usually needs to be diluted to be measured by an ICP spectrometer (an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP/ICP-MS ), an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) or similar) for analysis. For example, if a sample concentration is too high, the sample can saturate the cone of an ICP spectrometry instrument, carry over unwanted background between samples, or damage the instrument. However, obtaining precise dilution factors can be difficult to achieve, especially where manual techniques often involve relatively large liquid volumes (e.g., 50 mL or greater), fragile pipettes or measuring bottles, instruments requiring frequent authentication, extensive time requirements, or the like in the case of. Furthermore, for large dilution factors (e.g., 100-fold dilution and greater), the accuracy of a dilution may be limited by the resolution of a given pump (e.g., syringe pump, peristaltic pump, etc.), which may not have sufficient resolution to provide consistent and precise dilutions for multiple samples, standards or the like.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for on-line, multi-stage dilution of a sample. The systems and methods may utilize multiple independent pumps fluidly connected to a valve system to dynamically change (e.g., under computer control) the dilution factor of a given fluid, wherein the dilution factor and dilution level Numbers can vary between samples, standards, etc. These systems and methods precisely control carrier, diluent, and sample flow rates to dilute fluids in the system for analysis by ICP spectrometry instruments, as discussed in further detail below.

Exemplary Embodiment

1-3 illustrate a sample preparation system ("system 100") according to various embodiments of the present invention, wherein system 100 includes pumps, valves, and control logic that facilitate automatic, in-line dilution of samples and standards for analysis. state. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments shown in the drawings and/or described herein can be modified or combined in whole or in part to obtain additional embodiments. Accordingly, the illustrated and described embodiments are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive of the invention.

System 100 provides structure and functionality for single-stage and dual-stage dilution of fluids, wherein system 100 can switch between modes of operation for various samples or standards during operation of system 100 . For example, a controller of system 100 may facilitate dilution of a first sample by a first dilution factor via a single-stage dilution operation, wherein the controller may facilitate dilution of a second sample by a second dilution factor via a two-stage dilution operation. sample. Exemplary modes of operation are shown in FIGS. 1-3 . For example, FIG. 1 depicts system 100 operating in a first sample dilution mode incorporating a single-stage dilution. figure 2 And FIG. 3 illustrates the system 100 operating in a second sample dilution mode incorporating a two-stage dilution. Additional modes of operation include, but are not limited to, a sample loading mode to load a sample into the system 100, a fluid to introduce a cleaning fluid into the system 100 (e.g., before the dilution mode, after the dilution mode, etc.) A cleaning pattern in the pipeline, a calibration pattern to automatically create a calibration curve, or the like.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3 , the system 100 is shown to include a plurality of syringe pumps 102 to drive fluid through the fluid pathways of the system 100 (e.g., by fluid lines, fluid circuits, or coils, in fluid communication with each other). Formation of valve ports, valve channels, etc.). Although system 100 is shown in the exemplary embodiment as having a syringe pump, system 100 may incorporate any suitable type of pump for driving fluid through system 100, including but not limited to syringe pumps, peristaltic pumps, vacuum connections, or analogs or combinations thereof. For example, plurality of syringe pumps 102 may include: a first syringe pump 104, which controls a syringe to drive a carrier fluid through system 100 (e.g., to push one or more samples or standards through system 100); a second syringe pump 104; pump 106 , which controls a syringe to drive a diluent fluid (eg, deionized water, ultrapure water, etc.) through the system 100 ; and a third syringe pump 108 , which controls a syringe to drive an internal standard through the system 100 . Plurality of syringe pumps 102 may include additional syringe pumps for driving other fluids within system 100, such as one for driving a wash or cleaning solution, calibration solution, buffer solution, eluting solution, or the like. The size of the syringes utilized in the plurality of syringe pumps 102 may vary between each syringe pump or may be of uniform size. For example, a syringe may have a volume between 0.5 mL and 20 mL to drive a relatively small volume of fluid through the system to precisely control the dilution factor while avoiding the need for a relatively large volume of liquid (eg, 50 mL or more) to provide the desired dilution .

The plurality of syringe pumps 102 are fluidly coupled to multi-port valves (eg, automated selector/selector valves) to direct fluid flow from the pumps within the system 100 . For example, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the system 100 includes a first selector valve 110, a second selector valve 112, a third selector valve 114, and a fourth selector valve 116, each of which is switchable between at least two flow configurations (e.g., Connections via flow channels between different valve ports, where the positioning of the flow channels differs between the different flow configurations). In addition, each of the first selector valve 110 , the second selector valve 112 , the third selector valve 114 , and the fourth selector valve 116 are in fluid communication, directly or indirectly, with one or more of the plurality of pumps 102 .

First selection valve 110 can provide an interface between system 100 and an ICP spectrometry instrument or other analytical instrument to inject a diluted sample (e.g., via nebulizer 118 in fluid communication with first selection valve 110 via fluid line 120). Provided to ICP spectrometry instruments or other analytical instruments. The first selector valve 110 is coupled to a first retaining line 122 (eg, forming a fluid retaining circuit or coil) via two ports of the first selector valve 110 (eg, ports 1 and 4 in FIGS. 1-3 ). For example, system 100 may employ hold lines to hold a fluid at a valve as the valve switches flow configurations. The first selector valve 110 is also coupled to a second holding line 124 (e.g., forming a fluid holding loop or coil) via two ports of the first selector valve 110 (e.g., ports 6 and 9 in FIGS. 1-3 ) . The first select valve 110 is also in fluid communication with each of the second select valve 112 , the third select valve 114 and the fourth select valve 116 . For example, first select valve 110 may be in fluid communication with second select valve 112 via fluid line 126 , with third select valve 114 via fluid line 128 , and with fourth select valve 116 via fluid line 130 . The second selector valve 112 is coupled to a third holding line 132 (e.g., forming a fluid holding loop or coil) via two ports of the second selector valve 112 (e.g., ports 1 and 4 in FIGS. 1-3 ) and It is in fluid communication with the third selector valve 114 and the fourth selector valve 116 . For example, second select valve 112 may be in fluid communication with third select valve 114 via fluid lines 134 , 135 , and 136 and indirectly with fourth select valve 116 via a fluid line coupled to third select valve 114 .

The second selection valve 112 can also be coupled to a sample source, such as a sample detector 138 of an autosampler configured to automatically select a particular sample, to draw a sample into the system 100 for sample preparation ( For example, dilutions, standard additions, etc.) and analyzed by an ICP spectrometry instrument. For example, third selector valve 114 may be coupled to a vacuum source 140 (e.g., when coupled to port 1 of third selector valve 114 and while second selector valve 112 is in one of the loaded configurations shown in FIG. 3 (e.g., When ports 1 and 6 are in fluid communication, and ports 5 and 4 are in fluid communication), the sample is drawn from the sample probe 138 to the third holding line via the fluid line 136 in fluid communication with the fluid channel 139 of the third selector valve 114) 132 in. Alternatively or additionally, a pump of pump system 102 may be used to load a sample into third holding line 132 . The third select valve 114 is in fluid communication with the fourth select valve 116 . For example, third select valve 114 may be in fluid communication with fourth select valve 116 via fluid lines 142 and 144 . Alternatively or additionally, system 100 may receive a sample or other fluid from another source, such as a fluid delivery line from another sample handling system, remote sampling system, or the like.

A fourth selector valve 116 is coupled to the plurality of syringe pumps 102 to receive carrier, diluent, and internal standard fluids into the system 100 . For example, fourth selector valve 116 may be in fluid communication with first syringe pump 104 to receive carrier fluid via fluid line 146 , to second syringe pump 106 to receive diluent fluid via fluid line 148 , and to third syringe pump 108 . is in fluid communication to receive an internal standard fluid via fluid line 150 .

The system 100 includes at least two different modes of operation for processing a sample once it is loaded into the third holding line 132 (above provides one example of a possible loading procedure). A first mode of operation is shown with reference to FIG. 1 , in which a single-stage in-line dilution sequence occurs at the second selector valve 112 . A second mode of operation is shown with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in which a two-stage dilution sequence occurs (e.g., a first-stage dilution at second selector valve 112 and a second-stage dilution at second selector valve 110 ). dilution). Each mode of operation will now be discussed.

Referring to FIG. 1 , system 100 is shown in an exemplary sample dilution profile utilizing a single-stage dilution. The sample dilution mode includes a fourth selector valve 116 in a dispense configuration to receive carrier fluid from the first syringe pump 104 and deliver carrier fluid to the third selector valve 114 (which is in a dispense configuration), Wherein the third selector valve 114 allows the carrier fluid to flow to the second selector valve 112 to push the sample out of the third hold line 132 to pass through the third selector valve 114 by combining the liquid flow with the diluent received from the fourth selector valve 116 and passed through the third selector valve 114 Fluids are diluted (eg, at port 3). For example, diluent is received by second selector valve 112 from third selector valve 114 via fluid line 135 (e.g., coupled to port 7) through the action of second syringe pump 106, wherein a channel 141 fluidly couples port 7 to port 3 to allow the diluent to mix with the sample at port 3 as the carrier fluid pushes the sample from the third holding line 132 . The relative flow rates of the carrier fluid and the diluent fluid (facilitated by the first syringe pump 104 and the second syringe pump 106 ) can dictate the dilution factor of the sample. In one embodiment, each pump of plurality of syringe pumps 102 is computer controlled to precisely control the respective fluid flow rates to achieve a desired dilution factor for a sample. The diluted sample is passed from the second selector valve 112 to the first selector valve 110, where an optional internal standard may be received by the fourth selector valve 116 and passed to the first selector valve 110 (e.g., at port 5 ) to add an internal standard (for example, in one of the loaded configurations shown in Figure 1). For example, the diluted sample passes through fluid line 126 to port 11 , where a channel 143 fluidly couples port 11 and port 5 to mix the internal standard and diluted sample received from fourth selector valve 116 via fluid line 130 . The diluted sample is then introduced into the first hold line 122 . The first selector valve 110 can then transition to an injection configuration in which ports 3 and 4 are in fluid communication and ports 1 and 2 are in fluid communication (eg, the injection configuration of the first selector valve 110 shown in FIG. 2 ) to allow a pump 152 (eg, a peristaltic pump) pushes the diluted sample from the first holding line 122 to the nebulizer 118 for analysis by the ICP spectrometry instrument. In one embodiment, the two-stage operation of the system 100 will be described below The single-stage dilution mode of operation provides a dilution factor of up to about one hundred times prior to operating in this mode. However, this dilution factor is not limiting and other dilution factors may be utilized, including but not limited to dilution factors greater than one hundred times.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , system 100 is shown in an exemplary sample dilution format utilizing a two-stage dilution (eg, a first stage shown in FIG. 2 and a second stage shown in FIG. 3 ). The first stage of sample dilution includes a fourth selector valve 116 in a dispense configuration to receive carrier fluid from the first syringe pump 104 and deliver the carrier fluid to a third selector valve 114 which is in a dispense configuration , wherein the third selector valve 114 allows carrier fluid (eg, via fluid line 134) to flow to the second selector valve 112 to push the sample out of the third hold line 132 to pass through the combined liquid flow received from the fourth selector valve 116 The diluent fluid delivered by the third selector valve 114 for dilution (eg, at port 3 ). For example, diluent is received by second selector valve 112 from third selector valve 114 via fluid line 135 (e.g., coupled to port 7) through the action of second syringe pump 106, wherein channel 141 fluidly couples port 7 to port 3 to The diluent is allowed to mix with the sample at port 3 as the carrier fluid pushes the sample from the third holding line 132 . The relative flow rates of the carrier fluid and the diluent fluid (facilitated by the first syringe pump 104 and the second syringe pump 106 ) can specify the first dilution factor of the sample during the two-stage dilution. In one embodiment, each pump of plurality of syringe pumps 102 is computer controlled to precisely control the respective fluid flow rates to achieve a desired dilution factor for a sample. The diluted sample is passed from the second selector valve 112 to the first selector valve 110 (e.g., in an injection configuration) and loaded into the second hold line 124 to be held until the system 100 transitions to (shown in FIG. 3 ) The second stage of the two-stage dilution operation mode.

Referring to FIG. 3, system 100 is shown providing a flow path configuration to allow for a second stage of dilution. For example, the fourth selection valve 116 is in the dispense configuration, the third selection valve 114 is in the loading configuration, and the first selection valve 110 is in the loading configuration. The second selector valve 112 can be bypassed to facilitate cleaning One or more fluid lines associated therewith, a new sample is loaded into the third holding line 132 or the like or a combination thereof. As shown, fourth selector valve 116 receives carrier fluid from first syringe pump 104 and communicates carrier fluid to third selector valve 114 (which is in the fill configuration), where third selector valve 114 allows carrier fluid (e.g., via Fluid line 154) flows to the first selection valve 110 to push the sample out of the second holding line 124 to pass through the fourth selection valve (e.g., via fluid line 144) from the third selection valve 114 (e.g., via Fluid line 128) receives diluent fluid for dilution (eg, at port 6). The relative flow rates of the carrier fluid and the diluent fluid (facilitated by the first syringe pump 104 and the second syringe pump 106 ) can specify the second dilution factor of the sample. In one embodiment, each pump of plurality of syringe pumps 102 is computer controlled to precisely control the respective fluid flow rates to achieve a desired dilution factor for a sample. An internal standard can be added (e.g., at port 5) by receiving an optional internal standard through fourth selection valve 116 and communicating (e.g., via fluid line 130) to first selection valve 110, where first selection valve 110 A channel 145 that fluidly connects ports 6 and 5 may be included. The diluted sample is then introduced into the first hold line 122 . The first selector valve 110 can then transition to an injection configuration in which ports 3 and 4 are in fluid communication and ports 1 and 2 are in fluid communication (eg, as shown in FIG. 2 ) to allow a pump 152 (eg, a peristaltic pump) to The diluted sample is pushed from the first holding line 122 to the nebulizer 118 for analysis by the ICP spectrometry instrument. In one embodiment, each dilution stage of the two-stage dilution mode of operation may have an independent dilution factor or may have the same dilution factor. For example, in one embodiment, each dilution level may have a dilution factor of up to about a hundred-fold dilution for a final dilution factor of up to about ten thousand-fold. However, these dilution factors are not limiting and other dilution factors may be utilized including, but not limited to, dilution factors in excess of one hundred times for each dilution level.

An electromechanical device (e.g., an electric motor, servo, actuator, or the like) may be coupled to or embedded in a selector valve, a syringe pump, and combinations thereof to facilitate delivery via the embedded system 100 or at Automated operation of the control logic of the external drive system 100 . The motor arrangement can be configured to cause the plurality of valves to direct fluid flow from the syringes 104, 106, 108 and from other syringes, flow paths, etc. according to one or more modes of operation, such as those described herein. As shown in FIG. 4 , system 100 may include or be controlled by a computing system 400 having a processor 402 configured to execute computer readable program instructions 406 (ie, control logic) for a flash drive, hard drive, solid state drive, SD card, optical disc, or the like). Computing system 400 may be connected via direct connection or through one or more network connections 408 (e.g., local area network (LAN), wireless area network (WAN or WLAN), one or more hubs (e.g., USB hubs) etc.) to various components of the system 100. For example, computing system 400 may be communicatively coupled to sample detector 138 (or corresponding autosampler), syringe pump 104, syringe pump 106, syringe pump 108, and any of the various pumps or selection valves described herein. When executed by processor 402, program instructions 406 may cause computing system 400 to control system 100 (eg, control pumps and select valves) according to one or more modes of operation, as described herein. In one embodiment, computing system 400 implements a sample scheduler to allow a user to independently enter a desired dilution factor for a plurality of samples to be analyzed in succession. For example, a user can input a desired final dilution factor for a sample and processor 402 can determine whether a single-stage or two-stage dilution mode of operation is preferable for the desired final dilution factor. If a single-stage dilution mode of operation is sufficient (e.g., the dilution factor does not exceed a threshold dilution factor (e.g., a dilution factor where the resolution of the syringe pump is insufficient for a single-stage dilution), such as a 100-fold dilution) , the computing system 400 will automatically control the system to provide sample dilution according to a single-stage dilution mode of operation (eg, as shown in FIG. 1 ). If a single-stage dilution mode of operation is insufficient (e.g., the dilution factor exceeds a threshold dilution factor), the computing system 400 will automatically control the system 100 to operate according to a two-stage dilution mode (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) Provide sample dilution.

It should be appreciated that the various functions, control operations, processing blocks or steps described throughout the present disclosure may be implemented by any combination of hardware, software or firmware. In some embodiments, the various steps or functions are performed by one or more of: an electronic circuit, a logic gate, a multiplexer, a programmable logic device, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller / microcontroller or a computing system. A computing system may include, but is not limited to, a personal computing system, a mobile computing device, mainframe computing system, workstation, video computer, parallel processor, or any other device known in the art. In general, the term "computing system" is broadly defined to encompass any device having one or more processors that execute instructions from a carrier medium.

Program instructions implementing functions, controlling operations, processing blocks or steps, such as those embodied by the embodiments described herein, may be transmitted over or stored on a carrier medium. The carrier medium may be a transmission medium such as but not limited to a wire, cable or wireless transmission link. The carrier medium may also include a non-transitory signal bearing medium or storage medium such as, but not limited to, a read only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic or optical disk, a solid state or flash memory device or a tape.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended patent claims. Although an embodiment of the invention has been shown, it should be understood that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

1 to 11: port

100: system

102:Syringe pump

104: The first syringe pump

106: Second syringe pump

108: The third syringe pump

110: first selection valve

112: Second selection valve

114: the third selection valve

116: The fourth selection valve

118: Sprayer

120: Fluid pipeline

122: The first holding pipeline

124: the second holding pipeline

126: Fluid pipeline

128: Fluid pipeline

130: Fluid pipeline

132: The third holding pipeline

134: Fluid pipeline

135: Fluid pipeline

136: Fluid pipeline

138: Sample detector

139: Fluid channel

140: vacuum source

141: channel

142: Fluid pipeline

143: channel

144: Fluid pipeline

145: channel

146: Fluid pipeline

148: Fluid pipeline

150: Fluid pipeline

152: pump

154: Fluid pipeline

Claims (20)

A system for single-stage and double-stage dilution of a sample, comprising: a first pump configured to drive a carrier fluid; a second pump configured to drive a diluent; and a plurality of a selection valve fluidly coupled with the first pump and the second pump, the plurality of selection valves configured to provide a single-stage sample dilution of a sample according to a first mode of operation and according to a second mode of operation A two-stage sample dilution of the sample is provided, and the plurality of selection valves include at least a first selection valve, a second selection valve, and a third selection valve, wherein the first selection valve and the second selection valve and the second selection valve Three selector valves are fluidly coupled, wherein the second selector valve is fluidly coupled to the first selector valve and the third selector valve, wherein the second selector valve includes a mixing port coupled to two fluid flow paths to mix the sample and the diluent to provide a diluted sample in the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation, and wherein the first selection valve includes a mixing port coupled to two fluid flow paths to The diluted sample and the diluent are mixed in the second mode of operation. The system of claim 1, wherein the second selector valve is coupled to a first fluid holding line, and the second selector valve has a function of fluidly coupling the first fluid holding line and a sample source to load the sample into the first fluid holding line. A first fluid flow configuration in the fluid holding line, the second selector valve having a second fluid flow fluidly coupling the first pump and the first fluid holding line to drive carrier fluid through the first fluid holding line configuration. The system according to claim 2, wherein the second selection valve is in the first operation mode and the second operation mode In the second fluid flow configuration during each of the operating modes. The system of claim 2, wherein the first selector valve is coupled to a second fluid holding line, the first selector valve has fluidly coupling the second fluid hold line and the second selector valve to guide the diluted sample to a first fluid flow configuration in the second fluid holding line, the first selector valve having fluidly coupling the first pump and the second fluid holding line to drive carrier fluid through one of the second fluid holding lines Second fluid flow configuration. The system of claim 4, wherein the first selector valve is coupled to a third fluid holding line, wherein when the first selector valve is in the second fluid flow configuration, the third fluid holding line is fluidly coupled to The second holding line. The system of claim 5, wherein the third fluid holding line is fluidly coupled to an analytical instrument when the first selector valve is in the first fluid flow configuration. The system according to claim 6, wherein the analysis instrument comprises an inductively coupled plasma analysis instrument. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a third pump configured to drive an internal standard, the third pump communicating with the first pump during each of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation Select valve fluid communication. The system of claim 8, wherein the first selection valve includes a second mixing port coupled to two fluid flow paths for introducing the diluted sample and The dilution is then mixed with the internal standard and the diluted sample. The system of claim 1, wherein the third selector valve comprises a first fluid flow configuration fluidly coupling the first pump and the second selector valve, and wherein the third selector valve comprises fluidly coupling the first selector valve A pump is configured with a second fluid stream of the first selector valve. The system of claim 10, wherein the first fluid flow configuration of the third selector valve is further fluidly coupled to the second pump and the second selector valve, and wherein the second fluid flow set of the third selector valve fluidly couple the second pump with the first selector valve. The system of claim 11, wherein the third selector valve is in the first fluid flow configuration during the first mode of operation and during a first portion of the second mode of operation, and wherein the third selector valve is in The second fluid flow configuration is during a second portion of the second mode of operation. A system for single-stage and double-stage dilution of a sample, comprising: a first pump configured to drive a carrier fluid; a second pump configured to drive a diluent; and a plurality of a selection valve fluidly coupled with the first pump and the second pump, the plurality of selection valves configured to provide a single-stage sample dilution of a sample according to a first mode of operation and according to a second mode of operation providing a two-stage sample dilution of the sample, the plurality of selection valves comprising at least a first selection valve and a second selection valve, wherein the first selection valve is fluidly coupled to the second selection valve, wherein the second selection valve The valve includes a mixing port coupled to two fluid flow paths to mix the sample and the diluent in the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation to provide a The sample is diluted, and wherein the first selection valve includes a mixing port coupled to two fluid flow paths to mix the diluted sample and the diluent in the second mode of operation. The system of claim 13, wherein the second selector valve is coupled to a first fluid holding line, the second selector valve has a function of fluidly coupling the first fluid holding line and a sample source to load the sample into the first fluid holding line. A first fluid flow configuration in the fluid holding line, the second selector valve having a second fluid flow fluidly coupling the first pump and the first fluid holding line to drive carrier fluid through the first fluid holding line configuration. The system of claim 14, wherein the second selector valve is in the second fluid flow configuration during each of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation. The system of claim 14, wherein the first selector valve is coupled to a second fluid holding line, the first selector valve having fluidly coupling the second fluid hold line and the second selector valve to direct the diluted sample to a first fluid flow configuration in the second fluid holding line, the first selector valve having fluidly coupling the first pump and the second fluid holding line to drive carrier fluid through one of the second fluid holding lines Second fluid flow configuration. The system of claim 16, wherein the first selector valve is coupled to a third fluid holding line, wherein when the first selector valve is in the second fluid flow configuration, the third fluid holding line is fluidly coupled to The second holding line. The system of claim 17, wherein the first selector valve is in the first fluid flow configuration , the third fluid holding line is fluidly coupled with an analytical instrument. The system according to claim 18, wherein the analysis instrument comprises an inductively coupled plasma analysis instrument. The system of claim 13, further comprising: a third pump configured to drive an internal standard, the third pump communicating with the first pump during each of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation Select valve fluid communication.

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